Associate Professor University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine Los Angeles, California, United States
Background: After two decades of progressive reforms, youth justice is at a crossroads. Some advocates call to continue improving the current system, while others believe more transformative change is needed—all of which has profound implications for alleviating stark health inequities. Objective: We conducted focus groups with diverse youth justice stakeholders to inform future visions and strategies for navigating the path forward the US juvenile legal system. Design/Methods: This study used a focus group design with three respondent groups, representing different groups of youth justice stakeholders: 1) frontline staff working in juvenile legal system (JLS) facilities, 2) youth (ages 18-25) formerly involved in the JLS and their family members, and 3) subject experts in policy, government, academic, funder, or advocate roles related to youth justice. We used purposive sampling and direct outreach, beginning with the subject expert group and then expanding the sample to encompass diverse perspectives across the United States. Focus groups were audio-recorded and analyzed using thematic analysis of the session transcripts, which were coded for emergent themes. Results: We conducted 9 focus groups, with 92 participants spanning 19 states. Focus groups included 3 youth/family groups (online), 1 youth group (in person), 2 staff groups (online), and 3 youth justice experts groups (online) (Figure 1). The overarching theme Promote Youth Thriving emerged, which reflected participants’ views that the purpose of youth justice institutions should be to set up young people for long-term success and well-being. Three additional themes also emerged: 1) Envisioned Role of Juvenile Legal System Institutions, 2) Priorities for the Youth Justice System, and 3) Ideas about Youth Justice Leadership. Table 1 presents themes and sub-themes, and Table 2 provides exemplar quotes.
Conclusion(s): Diverse stakeholders align in their views about the purpose of the youth justice system as ideally promoting youth thriving. Differences within and between groups about the ideal structure and priorities for youth justice to achieve this purpose emerged, which will require continued dialogue to translate visions into practice to advance health equity.
